How Principal Thomas Brothers Shapes Community-Focused Architecture at Platt/Whitelaw
Architecture for the People
Article Summary: Thomas Brothers, AIA is a year-and-a-half into his role as a Principal at Platt/Whitelaw Architects. It’s a drop in the bucket compared to his 23 years of employment at our firm. As our leadership series of profile articles continues, read on to find out what motivates Thomas’ loyalty to Platt/Whitelaw and how his longevity with the firm is helping craft its future.
Thomas started his journey at Platt/Whitelaw Architects as a high school intern. The only pause in his Platt/Whitelaw time since then was to take a gap year to volunteer through AmeriCorps with Habitat for Humanity.
As a new high school graduate, Thomas found himself sent off to Philadelphia where he helped direct a team of adult Habitat volunteers at a construction site.
“That’s a good way to grow up in a big hurry,” he said.
The experience also solidified his desire to become an architect.
Developing an Architecture Career
Through his work with Habitat for Humanity, earning his degree at NewSchool of Architecture & Design and developing his skills at Platt/Whitelaw, Thomas developed a passion for community architecture.
“Our firm does a lot of the kind of work I care about, especially work for underserved communities,” he said.
He especially enjoys finding ways to involve community members and give them a voice in the design process.
Project Highlights
Among Thomas’ favorite projects was the Creative Performing Media Arts (CPMA) Middle School theater.
“My mom is a teacher, and she told me that a teacher from CPMA was bragging to her about their amazing new theater,” said Thomas. “That felt great to hear.”
He also loved working on the music building remodel at Point Loma High School and characterizes it as an exercise in ‘what can we do?’
Originally built in the 1940s, the as-builts for the music building were not at all correct. Also challenging was the overhead flight path noise that had to be mitigated and the limited budget, which was funded entirely by volunteer band boosters. Eventually, the school district was able to expand the budget.
The common thread in both Thomas’ favorite projects: both offered opportunities to work closely with the local school communities.
Leading an Architecture Firm
Now, in his role as a firm principal, Thomas and fellow principals Naveen Waney and Peter Soutowood are providing ways for employees to learn the mechanics of internal processes and other aspects of the business side of the firm.
“Some people would be concerned that if you teach people about putting together a contract, for example, they will jump ship and go on their own,” said Thomas. “We’ve always been more concerned about mentorship and operating as an authentic and welcoming team.”
Thomas says the leadership team also remains focused on finding ways to be a leader in the community.
“Considering the 70-year longevity of our firm and the diversity of our work, Platt/Whitelaw’s impact on San Diego has been larger than our firm’s size,” he said. “Continuing that is worthwhile.”
The future is bright, and continuing to build this legacy keeps Thomas committed.
“PWA has been special to me, and it’s nice to articulate that in a way that matters — by building toward something,” he said.
Supporting Emerging Architects & Leaders
It’s not just our firm that benefits from Thomas’ leadership — he also helps support San Diego’s architecture industry by co-chairing the American Institute of Architecture’s San Diego Committee on the Environment.
By organizing case study happy hours and project tours, Thomas and his COTE committee co-chair hope to build engagement in the AIA membership, share best practices in sustainable design and environmental justice and eventually establish a library of case studies from the events.
He’s also happy to share advice with aspiring architects.
“You have to love it,” he said. “Architecture ranks at the top of job satisfaction lists, but it’s self-selecting. If you’re thinking about an architecture career, I suggest getting an internship with a firm to understand what it’s really like. Architecture is half science and half art, and you must figure out where the line between the science and art is for you.”
Q&A
Ready for our get-to-know-you speed round with Thomas? Here we go …
Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Coffee
Q: Favorite hiking trail?
A: Mission Trails or walking around Mission Hills
Q: Most challenging home renovation project at your 100+ year-old house?
A: Lifting the corner of our house to rebuild the foundation where it had turned. Also, the toilet that was falling through the floor.
Q: Favorite restaurant in Old Town?
A: Miguel’s Cocina
Q: Favorite place to visit in San Diego?
A: Kearny Mesa for the Asian restaurants
Q: Favorite piece of architecture in San Diego that was designed/restored by PWA?
Q: Favorite piece of architecture in San Diego that was not designed by PWA?
A: The El Cajon Center for the Arts complex
Q: One talent you have other than architecture?
A: Running a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. I’m the Dungeon Master – I do all prep and world building.
When he’s not designing buildings that support communities, running a D&D campaign or renovating his home, Thomas and his wife are raising their two young children and continuing their surrogacy journey by traveling back to the country of Georgia to welcome their third child.
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